Why to Keep Alcohol Away from Your Cat on Halloween

If you are a caring and conscientious cat owner, you are probably already aware that there are some substances that your furry feline simply shouldn’t eat or drink as they could make her very unwell. One of the most toxic beverages that your cat can consume is alcohol. Therefore, if you are planning a party this Halloween, it is essential that you ensure that these adult drinks are kept well away from your animals, as well as your small people.

Why is alcohol toxic to cats?

Most of us know how rough we feel when we consume too much alcohol. Well that feeling is expedited for animals, since their bodies are unable to process alcohol as efficiently or as quickly as ours can. Alcohol consumption in cats can have a variety of different effects including:

- Sudden drop in body temperature

- Muscle relaxant

- Drowsiness

- Loss of coordination

- Sudden drop in blood sugar levels

- Slow heart rate

- Labored breathing

- Damage to your cat’s kidneys and liver

- Metabolic acidosis, where her blood becomes too acidic

How much alcohol does my cat need to consume to become sick?

As with most types of poisoning, exactly how much alcohol your cat needs to consume to become sick depends on several factors including her size, whether or not she had eaten before drinking it and the type of alcohol consumed. This is because different types of drink contain different concentrations of alcohol, with beer being the weakest and liquor being the strongest. The higher the concentration of alcohol in the drink your kitty consumed, the more likely and more quickly she is to suffer adverse effects.

Symptoms of alcohol consumption in cats

Animals are preconditioned to hiding illness, fearing that it will make them look weak or vulnerable. However, if your feline friend has alcohol poisoning, there will be some symptoms that you can watch for. These include:

- Seeming unbalanced and uncoordinated

- Difficulty standing and walking

- Seeming drowsy or lethargic

- Vomiting

- Excessive urination

- Slow, shallow breathing

- Other ‘drunk-like’ symptoms

If your cat has eaten recently, then it may take several hours for the symptoms of alcohol poisoning to become obvious. If you suspect that your feline furbaby has touched even a drop of alcohol, you should contact your local veterinarian immediately.

Is it possible for my cat to make a full recovery from alcohol poisoning?

If the unthinkable happens and your cat does manage to become affected by alcohol poisoning, one of the first things you will want to know is if there is a chance that she will make a full recovery. Unsurprisingly, the sooner you seek treatment for your kitty the better the chances are that she will make a full recovery. As soon as you get to your vet, they will conduct a series of tests to determine the extent of the poisoning. Activated charcoal solution may be administered in order to induce vomiting. However, depending on the extent of damage to your cat’s body, other treatments including intravenous fluids and other medications may be necessary.

Prevention is always better than cure, and with some careful planning and preparation, there is no need for your cat to suffer from alcohol poisoning this Halloween. For more advice on the best way to keep your cat safe from harm this Halloween, please contact our offices in Hoover, AL today.